Europcar UK is boosting its commercial vehicle fleet with the addition of new Small, Short Wheel Base (SWB) and Long Wheel Base (LWB) vans including a wider range of electric short wheel base models. As Keith Shorter, Director of Europcar Vans & Trucks UK explained, the fleet growth is in direct response to market demand.
“The latest data from the SMMT shows a subdued market for new van sales. New LCV registrations shrank by 12.1% in the first half of the year. And in July there was a 5.7% drop continuing the sector’s 8 month decline. This is not surprising given other pressures on UK businesses including the hike in minimum wage and NI costs. As a consequence, what we’re seeing is businesses keen to access short and medium term rental to fill their fleet gaps – rather than making long-term lease or purchasing commitments.
“We have therefore committed to a significant uplift in our commercial vehicle fleet to respond to this market shift. By increasing and refreshing our new fleet, all available for 1 day up to 36 months, we are giving businesses much needed flexibility. We’re also ensuring that, for those businesses that are advancing their zero tailpipe emissions plans, we have a range of small and short wheel base electric vans available”
With arguably the largest geographical network coverage of any van rental company, with 75 Vans & Trucks branches across the UK including 24 Supersites, Europcar operates one of the youngest commercial fleets in the rental market, meaning all vans are CAZ and ULEZ compliant.
It has also delivered a number of initiatives in the last 12 months to improve fleet efficiency for businesses. This includes the optional installation of dash-cams for improved driver safety and reduced insurance costs and claims and enhanced transparency on vehicle condition.
Plus Europcar takes the uncertainty out of long-term van rental with its Long-Term Flex Van Hire solution. For businesses renting vans for 1, 2 or 3 years, a fixed rate with flexible termination options, it gives users confidence about their costs in the current challenging economic conditions. Offered as part of Europcar’s Long-Term Flex Van Hire solutions, it can be applied to any of the van fleet and provides the option for variable mileage requirements as well as free delivery & collection to business or home addresses.
